16th December, 2023
By Adejoke Adeleye/Ogun
The immediate past Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb Sarafa Tunji-Ishola has attributed the underdevelopment of Ogun state to hostile contest for power by politicians.
Tunji-Ishola who was appointed as the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021 at a reception organised by distinguished sons and daughters of Egbaland to honour him for his meritorious service to his fatherland.
While addressing guests at the event which included former governor Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, described Ogun as a politically divided state where no meaningful development can take place.
He argued that for Ogun state to attain its full potential, the political class must jettison the hostile takeover of power and practise politics of continuity and sustainable development.
What we have seen here today transcends beyond Egbaland because what has happened today was a kind of conglomerate, consisting of good people across Ogun state and beyond who believe in this course and have identified with this course.
“In Ogun state today, we are too politically divided, and it is very clear that no state can develop within the maximum term of any state government.
“What develops a society is sustainable development. I will continue to mention that Navy Captain Oladeinde Joseph (a former military governor of Ogun state) spoke to me and identified hostile succession as the problem with our state.
“I want to enjoin all of us, particularly our traditional rulers because that happens to be the only permanent feature, to work towards ensuring that hostile succession is a thing of the past in Ogun state.
“And I’m challenging everybody in the political class to also take up the challenge, the potentials of this state is quite enormous, I look forward to a state where all us we see ourselves as partners in progress”, Tunji-Ishola said.
He appreciated former President Buhari for not only appointing him but also supporting and believing in him throughout his tenure as Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.